Program Reviews

It was a great and memorable experience for me. Sally was very helpful of my welfare and hospitality from the moment I sat foot in Ghana. I did the medical placement in Anwiam Clinic in Kumasi. The clinic staffs and doctors were so friendly and taught me a lot of things related to medical practice. I also had the opportunity to deliver a baby which was quite exciting for a first timer. It's ambitious to say that I hope all medical students/graduates should experience working in Africa, but really, the experience was priceless.

Me and my partner gave creative art workshops for two weeks at the All Nations Charity Home via Sally and her Solutions for Life Initiative. The volunteering placement was well coordinated and also the home stay was very well arranged for.
Solutions for Life consists of a unique local NGO in Kumasi, Ghana, whom we want to keep supporting from abroad. We saw that the children of All Nations really enjoyed this summer activity and that they engaged very much in all sorts of creative activities (drawing, painting, making their own huge board games,

If I had to describe my trip to Ghana in just 1 word. It would not be impossible. It was an amazing, interesting and very educative experience. I lived in Ghana for a half year because of my study. Besides my study, I participated with several projects set up by: Solutions for Life Initiative Ghana.

My first 2 weeks were in the capital of Ghana (Accra). This was the place where I got my culture shock moment. To be more specific at: Accra Central. I went here in the middle of the day and everywhere were people selling their merchandise. High populations of humans were roaming everywhere and even the streets where the cars need to drive was full with shops and people, leading to dangerous situations.

After these 2 weeks, I took a fight to Kumasi and lived with Sally, Nana and their kids. They were the best hosts I could get and they showed me the way the Ghanaian society works and how things roll around.
When in Kumasi, I enrolled in several activities set up by: Solutions For Life Initiative Ghana. One of these activities was the setup of a Christmas party for orphans in the region.
We arranged a moon bouncer and a trampoline for the kids to jump on. Further we arranged food, music, a make-up artist and taught them the importance of hygiene.
The kids enjoyed these activities and the happiness on their face will be something I will never forget. As being a foreign male at the party. I got a lot of questions and demonstrations from the boys about soccer. All the boys want to play one day at international levels and meet their idols.
Thanks to my hosts, I could connect to many local people and other travellers. With them I travelled outside Kumasi. Ghanaians are very social; it is easy to connect with them. I even had an opportunity to be live on the radio, just by meeting someone outside a store.
Ghana has some interesting landscapes. Going north of Kumasi you will find the savanna, going south you will reach the coastal regions.
Kumasi it self have the biggest market off whole West-Africa.

Ghana is a developing country. The gap between the higher society and the lower society is big. There are environmental problems and the medical situation can still need some help. With a population that is rapidly growing. These problems will only get bigger.
Solutions For Life Initiative Ghana is setting up projects and to tackle these problems. As being part of the team, you will see the positive changes you can make, in many people’s lives.

All in all, I can conclude I learned and helped a lot more people while being in the place it all happens.

I had enriching experience in Kumasi teaching English. Playing with the children and forming lasting friendships. Being in Kumasi was a humbling experience that made me truly realize the simplistic joys in life such as running water, and other modern conviences. This made me ultimately realize that all children essential need love. I would not trade this experience for the world. You will have an amazing time.

It's been really exciting to play with the kids at the orphanage and do drawing activities with them. It really gives them a chance to explore their creative mind and I love seeing the pride and joy on their faces after they complete a drawing. Sally has also been a wonderful host and is really accommodating to any of my needs. I've had such a great time in Ghana playing with the kids and it's been very joyful.

I had such a great time doing the Medical Placement at Anwiam Clinic. The hospital is more than accommodating of your skill level and I love how eager they are to not just teach about clinical practice, but also to teach about Ghanaian culture and practices. The medical placement more than exceeded my expectations, teaching me more than I thought I could learn from the experience. The people at the hospital are not afraid to challenge your learning! Furthermore, Sally has been such a great host - giving tips on travelling, cooking a variety of delicious Ghanaian food, and always ready to help when necessary! I hope to come back to Ghana someday because of all the memorable experiences I've had and my hopes of learning and experiencing more from this country and its people!

Volenteering with Solutions For Life Initiative- Ghana. Having spent 2 weeks in Kumasi, helping in a local orphanage (together with 2 friends). This was a great experience for me. Sally (someone of the program's staff) and her family/friends really helped us with everything! The kids of the orphanage were so thankfull! I would highly recommend this lifetime experience to everyone :) I don't think you can make big changes for the country, but at least you can help some individuals by helping them in the orphanage (e.g. studying, playing, teaching about hygiene, ...)

There are no words to describe how much volunteering with Solutions for Life has changed my life! The organisation is so supportive and helps you achieve all your goals while in Ghana, as well as before and after your visit.

The family I stayed with us become my new family, with amazing hospitality, so much love and acceptance and great food!

The orphanage I volunteered at, All Nations Charity Home, and all the children there have changed my life, the sweetest, most loving children in the world!!

100% recommend to anyone! I have volunteered with Solutions for Life twice, soon to be three times!

Me and my 2 friends went volunteering at the King Jesus Orphanage in Kumasi in September 2016.
For me, it was my second time at this orphanage, so I was really excited to see all the kids back.
When we arrived the first day, we immediately received a hundred hugs from the little ones, which was the cutest thing ever!

Before we left Belgium, the three of us raised a lot of toys, clothes and other things to donate to the orphanage. We also organized a fundraising and were able to pay the schoolfees of some of the grownups. I can't even put out in words how thankful they were for our help! It is so rewarding to be able to help out with just doing small things!

During our stay, we lived with a host family, which is also a great experience. Personally, I have been volunteering before and the difference between staying with a local family or staying at a volunteers residence is huge! Would really recommend doing this!

Although as a volunteer, it is important to bare into mind that the actual impact you make is very small, I feel like it is still worth it. Being able to put a smile on those kids faces is so rewarding!

When people ask me how my trip was I tell them I really don't have words to describe it. From the tours by Samuel, Sally's liaison in Accra, to the children at the Cherubs Orphanage, and the unmeasurable hospitality the people provide, really was a life changing experience.

To start off, Samuel made me feel very safe and welcome, and urged me to ask questions, think critically about Ghanaian society, and compare the infrastructure to that of the US. I was fortunate enough to stay as a guest in his home in Accra which was amazing. Samuel is one of those people you meet in life that is so positive, and all around a great person that can make you smile. I got the chance to visit his office at the organization he works for.

Sally was always very communicative and helpful in terms of listening to feedback and taking action. I developed a bad sinus infection and had to go to the hospital and Sally called regularly to make sure I was okay. At first when I arrived at her home in Kumasi I was under the impression I was staying with her family, instead I stayed with the founders of the orphanage's family. The placement was amazing, I had a working shower and a sink, and even a fan in my room which is rare.

The children were the most memorable component for me, I still have dreams about them running up to me screaming my name and 'obruni' as I pass through the gate to the compound and tackling me. The amount of love and hunger for learning inspired me in more ways than I can describe. I will be back one day to adopt a child from this experience. Note: you may be placed in different places but if you can be placed in Kumasi with Cherubs DO IT!

Check out my video of the project: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RiSdk6vaGsY&t=20s